When mountain bikers think of Utah, Moab (pictured) usually comes to mind. But high-desert region Castle Dale offers some of the best riding in the state and is less crowded, McCoy says. Ionas Kaltenbach, Lonely Planet Images

The Teton Valley Trails and Pathways in Driggs, Idaho, are just about 30 miles from Jackson Hole, Wyo. They offer varied riding from old rock-surfaced rail trails to tough mountain climbs. Adventurecycling.org

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The CAMBA Trails in Cable, Wis., lace through the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest region of Northwest Wisconsin, offering six clusters of mountain bike trails that total 300 miles.(Photo: Hansi Johnson)

Mountain biking isn't only for adrenaline junkies. "It's a sport that just about anyone who can ride a bicycle shouldn't be afraid to try," says Michael McCoy of the Montana-based Adventure Cycling Association. "There is every level from rail trails up to as radical as you want to get." He shares some favorite places to pedal with Larry Bleiberg for USA TODAY.

Oak Mountain State ParkPelham, Ala.

Alabama's largest state park, south of Birmingham, gives cyclists plenty of room to crank up the fun — and adrenaline. A network of trails laces the preserve's ridges and valleys. "The Double Oak Trail is the premier trail," says McCoy, noting that it made the International Mountain Bike Association's list of 52 "Epic" must-rides around the world. 205-620-2524; alapark.com/oakmountain/

Maah Daah Hey TrailMedora, N.D.

Stretching nearly 100 miles, this trail winds through an otherworldly landscape of badlands and flowing grasslands in western North Dakota. "It's one of the most heralded trails in the West," McCoy says, and some cyclists take several days to ride the whole length. Even so, the gently sloping terrain is forgiving and could be enjoyed on day trips by those with low-intermediate experience, he says. mdhta.com

Oakridge, Ore.

A 350-mile network of single-track trails south of Eugene can keep riders busy for ages, McCoy says. "It's an amazing area because of the diversity. It's classic Pacific Northwest, from rolling riverside trails to steep mountain ascents and descents." The area hosts a mountain bike festival with guided rides this weekend. 541-968-8870; mtbikeoregon.com

CAMBA TrailsCable, Wis.

Winter-sports lovers know the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest region of Northwest Wisconsin for its top-flight cross-country skiing. But the area's also home to six clusters of mountain bike trails that total 300 miles. "It's a fun variety of logging roads, fire roads, snowmobile and ski trails, and single-track trails built to link them," McCoy says. 715-798-3599; cambatrails.org

Kingdom TrailsEast Burke, Vt.

This system of routes includes 150 miles of repurposed farm roads linked by single-track trails through pine and maple forests. "It's beautiful, and it's an area that has been developed specifically for the sport," McCoy says. While some of the routes are tough, it's also possible to stick to the old roads, which are more forgiving. 802-626-0737; kingdomtrails.com

Teton Valley Trails and PathwaysDriggs, Idaho

McCoy chose to live in this area, about 30 miles from Jackson Hole, Wyo., partially because of the mountain biking. "There's a lot of varied riding, from old rock-surfaced rail trails to tough rides in the Big Hole Range," he says. The area hosts a mountain bike festival, set this year for Aug. 30-Sept. 1. tvtap.org

Monongahela National ForestWest Virginia

McCoy, who was raised in the West, once spent three weeks here researching a bike guide. He came away impressed. "I was blown away by the quality and diversity of riding they have in the Appalachians," he says. Some sections, such as the 44-mile Tea Creek Trail System, follow old railroad grades. 304-636-1800; www.fs.usda.gov/mnf

Big Bend Ranch State ParkTexas

Texas' biggest state park covers more than 300,000 acres of the Chihuahuan Desert, offering lots of room to ride. "Most of the riding is on four-wheel-drive roads. They're quite technical in some instances," McCoy says. One standout ride, the Fresno-Sauceda Loop, twists through creek beds and by archaeological sites and abandoned mines. 432-358-4444; tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/big-bend-ranch

San Rafael SwellCastle Dale, Utah

When mountain bikers think of Utah, Moab usually comes to mind. But this high-desert region offers some of the best riding in the state, McCoy says. "This is just as good or almost as good, but not nearly as discovered or crowded." A standout ride: Good Water Rim Trail, a 15-mile single-track ride along a canyon ridge. 888-564-3600; emerycounty.com/travel

Death Valley, Calif.

Wait for the October-March offseason before tackling trails in this desert park, where temperatures can reach into the triple digits. And even though riding is limited to roads open to motor vehicles, there are still plenty of great options, McCoy says. "Rides range from easy, like the 3-mile-long 20-Mule Team Canyon Road loop, to challenging, such as the 28-mile, one-way Titus Canyon Road." 760-786-3200; nps.gov/deva